New Patrons for Excellent Development

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Nelson Mandela's defence lawyer one of two appointments

Lord Joel Joffe CBE and Sir Edward Clay have agreed to become the first patrons of Excellent Development, a rapidly expanding Brentford-based charity working to support disadvantaged communities in rural Africa. Lord Joffe is a lifelong defender of human rights who gained international recognition as Nelson Mandela’s defence lawyer in 1963. He was also the chair of Oxfam between 1995-2001. Sir Edward recently completed an outstanding diplomatic career, culminating with the position of British High Commissioner for Kenya. Excellent Development is delighted that they are both supporting the charity’s unique approach to self-help community development.

Excellent Development has over 20 years’ experience assisting disadvantaged communities in rural Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to transform their environment sustainably and improve water supplies, food production, health and incomes. This is achieved through effective low-cost approaches focused on tree-planting and the building of small-scale dams to promote improved soil and water conservation.

Sir Edward Clay, former British High Commissioner for Kenya, visited one of Excellent Development’s projects in January 2005, and said, "I really enjoyed seeing the achievements of the members of the project and admired what they and the project leaders had managed to do with the funding we have provided. It was clearly money well spent!"

Sir Edward has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the diplomatic service. The Oxford graduate first followed his father into journalism, subsequently joining the Foreign Office. His final overseas posting was in the same country as his first – this time as High Commissioner to Kenya, where he remained until 2005. There he gained attention for consistently speaking out against corruption in the Kenyan government.

Lord Joel Joffe CBE first came to international prominence as Nelson Mandela’s defence lawyer at the now legendary Rivonia trial in 1963. Since then he has continued to make outstanding contributions to the cause of social welfare, including being Chair of Oxfam between 1995-2001. Accepting the position of Patron he said, "I'm very happy to endorse Excellent Development and their important work in semi-arid Africa. I have supported them financially over the last two years and am delighted with the progress and results that they have achieved."

Mr Simon Maddrell, founder of Excellent Development said, "Edward and Joel have been very supportive of Excellent Development over the last two years which has been instrumental in our growth and development. We are delighted that they have agreed to become our Patrons. They both have demonstrated great integrity and commitment in their work, which I believe reflects the attitude of the community groups we work with in Africa."

March 23, 2006